Take My Time
Jay One Lyrics

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Said I don't wanna slow down
Never know where to go
And I don't wanna know now
What I'm gonna know
They tell me to chase the blind
Got no time for safety
Said I'm just gonna take the time
Before the time takes me

Oh what a breath of fresh air, flesh of a legend that feared
Being mortal but now I'm living forever in ears
Same passion but intentions shifted from begging for cheers
To wanting to be felt and having a connection to peers
Pressure lifted 'cause I know where I'm headed
Drive is potent and my soul is invested
In the present moment where I'm sculpting a message
Adding value instead of adding to the flame
'Cause that's exactly what Pac did to my adolescent brain
They want me to slow it down and conform for their own comfort
Go figure, that ego blocking their growth so no wonder
They don't like the messenger so they gonna give you the cold shoulder
But know the chase for aesthetics' in control of their whole structure
No longer letting a mass number fill the voids at any cost
From money to group a of friends that blind what matters at large
To many nights I felt I was going against my fate and I wasn't enough
But I wasn't a lost cause it was just 'cause I was lost
Said I don't wanna slow down
Never know where to go
And I don't wanna know now
What I'm gonna know
They tell me to chase the blind
Got no time for safety
Said I'm just gonna take the time
Before the time takes me
Yeah, uh, no slowing it down, got somewhere to be, they never looked at it like I do
I'm holding it down, while stuck in the sea, they'd never present it like I do
I'm molding it now, my whole legacy, they'll never go get it like I do
I hope to corral, the ones who could see, the vision presented when I move
The vision inside of my mind, the mission I'm given's to not let it die
I'm wishing for wisdom embracing the lives, of those who before me had carried divine
Ideas that had generational change, the way that it was and now who I became
Is starting to look more like what I had aimed, for when first I started this journey of fame
Connection, what does that word mean to you hearing it?
To some it's just taking two things and putting them together
To me it's taking different wave lengths and steering it
To find each other serendipitous, made better
It takes time turning things from thoughts into fruition
It saves lives giving hope to anyone who's gifted
The fake lies you've had sold to you 'cause you're too different
Can't break minds with a purpose time for us to win it
Said I don't wanna slow down
Never know where to go
And I don't wanna know now
What I'm gonna know
They tell me to chase the blind
Got no time for safety

Said I'm just gonna take the time
Before the time takes me

Overall Meaning

In "Take My Time" by Jay One, the lyrics express a desire to not be rushed or forced to conform to societal expectations. The opening lines suggest a reluctance to slow down and follow a predetermined path. The individual wants to explore their own journey and discover things at their own pace, rather than having everything predetermined for them.

The next verse talks about the artist's evolution and growth. They reference their desire to be remembered and make a lasting impact. This shift is characterized by a transition from seeking external validation and applause to creating a genuine connection with listeners. They recognize the pressure that comes with their aspirations but feel confident and determined to reach their destination.

The lyrics also touch on the resistance faced from others who prefer the artist to conform and stay within their comfort zone. This resistance is attributed to ego and fear inhibiting growth. However, the artist acknowledges that chasing superficial standards is not fulfilling and instead focuses on delivering a meaningful message to their audience.

The second verse continues the theme of not slowing down and maintaining a strong sense of purpose. The artist emphasizes their unique perspective and commitment to their vision. They hope to inspire and attract like-minded individuals who can appreciate the depth and intention behind their work.

The lyrics also delve into the concept of connection, highlighting its importance in the artist's journey. They see connection as more than simply merging things together. It is about finding harmony in different ideas and perspectives, allowing for the creation of something greater. The artist recognizes how connection can bring hope and change lives, contrasting it with the false narratives that society often perpetuates.

Overall, "Take My Time" is a powerful anthem about individuality, staying true to oneself, and valuing meaningful connections. It encourages listeners to embrace their own path, resist external pressures, and prioritize personal growth and genuine connections over superficial achievements.

Line by Line Meaning

Said I don't wanna slow down
I want to maintain my current pace and not lose momentum

Never know where to go
I am unsure of my direction or purpose in life

And I don't wanna know now
I am not ready or willing to discover my fate or future

What I'm gonna know
The knowledge or understanding that awaits me

They tell me to chase the blind
Others advise me to blindly pursue uncertain goals

Got no time for safety
I cannot prioritize caution or security

Said I'm just gonna take the time
I will utilize the available time wisely

Before the time takes me
Before the passing of time consumes me completely

Oh what a breath of fresh air, flesh of a legend that feared
I feel rejuvenated, like a legend who once had doubts

Being mortal but now I'm living forever in ears
Although I am mortal, my music will have a lasting impact

Same passion but intentions shifted from begging for cheers
My passion remains, but I no longer seek validation or applause

To wanting to be felt and having a connection to peers
Now, my desire is to be understood and connect with others

Pressure lifted 'cause I know where I'm headed
I feel relieved as I have a clear sense of my direction

Drive is potent and my soul is invested
My motivation is strong and I am wholeheartedly committed

In the present moment where I'm sculpting a message
I am focused on creating a meaningful message in the present

Adding value instead of adding to the flame
I aspire to contribute meaning and positivity instead of fueling negativity

'Cause that's exactly what Pac did to my adolescent brain
Like Tupac, I aim to influence and inspire young minds

They want me to slow it down and conform for their own comfort
Others desire me to decrease my pace and conform to their expectations for their own convenience

Go figure, that ego blocking their growth so no wonder
It is unsurprising that their ego impedes their personal development

They don't like the messenger so they gonna give you the cold shoulder
Because they dislike the message I convey, they will ignore or reject me

But know the chase for aesthetics' in control of their whole structure
Their pursuit of superficial appearances governs their entire framework

No longer letting a mass number fill the voids at any cost
I refuse to let popularity or quantity fill emotional voids without considering the consequences

From money to group a of friends that blind what matters at large
Whether it is money or a social circle, these distractions hinder the understanding of what truly matters

To many nights I felt I was going against my fate and I wasn't enough
On numerous occasions, I believed I was defying my destiny and lacked self-worth

But I wasn't a lost cause it was just 'cause I was lost
I wasn't a hopeless case; it was simply because I was confused and lacked direction

Yeah, uh, no slowing it down, got somewhere to be, they never looked at it like I do
I refuse to decelerate as I have goals to achieve, and others fail to perceive things the way I do

I'm holding it down, while stuck in the sea, they'd never present it like I do
I am maintaining my position amidst challenges, and they would never express themselves as effectively as I do

I'm molding it now, my whole legacy, they'll never go get it like I do
I am shaping my entire legacy now, and they will never understand or achieve it in the same way I do

I hope to corral, the ones who could see, the vision presented when I move
I aspire to gather those individuals who can perceive the vision I convey through my actions

The vision inside of my mind, the mission I'm given's to not let it die
The vision within my mind is my assigned mission to ensure it does not fade away

I'm wishing for wisdom embracing the lives, of those who before me had carried divine
I desire wisdom as I embrace the lives of those who came before me, who possessed extraordinary qualities

Ideas that had generational change, the way that it was and now who I became
Ideas that brought about transformative change across generations, shaping who I have become

Is starting to look more like what I had aimed, for when first I started this journey of fame
My current situation resembles the aspirations I had when I initially embarked on this journey towards fame

Connection, what does that word mean to you hearing it?
When you hear the word 'connection,' how do you interpret its significance?

To some it's just taking two things and putting them together
For some, it simply means combining two entities into one

To me it's taking different wave lengths and steering it
To me, it involves aligning diverse perspectives and guiding them towards harmony

To find each other serendipitous, made better
Discovering each other by chance and enhancing one another's experiences

It takes time turning things from thoughts into fruition
It requires time to transform ideas into tangible reality

It saves lives giving hope to anyone who's gifted
It has the power to save lives by instilling hope in those who possess talents

The fake lies you've had sold to you 'cause you're too different
The false narratives you have been subjected to due to your uniqueness

Can't break minds with a purpose time for us to win it
We cannot allow our minds to be broken; it's time for us to succeed